Test on the Trotting Track

Challenge

During the gradual reopening of Danish society in the first half of 2021, many people in the North of Denmark experienced long queues at testing centres – especially during rush hours in the morning and at closing time.1 Access to testing sites and capacity to meet testing demand have been crucial aspects during the reopening. According to the government’s test strategy for COVID-19, the total test capacity in Denmark was to reach 700,000 daily tests in May 2021.2 This required a significant expansion of testing capacity, and in the North Denmark Region (Region Nordjylland), emergency services launched several initiatives, including the establishment of several new testing centres and extended opening hours.3

Solution

In March 2021, the North Denmark Region, together with Danish emergency services company Falck as the supplier, set up a testing centre for rapid testing at Racing Arena Aalborg – also known as ‘the Trotting Track’. Although the new testing centre was set up specifically to meet the pressures during rush hour, it turned out that the special setting made the test centre one of the regions’ preferred test destinations. Even though the daily activities at the race track were stopped due to the pandemic, there were still horses in the stables and a scenic view from the premises, which were normally used as a spectator café for horse racing.

The example shows how the physical space and surroundings for COVID-19 testing plays a role, not only in the question of the quantitative test capacity but also in the experience – both for those who are tested and for the staff.

Taxonomy

Sphere: Culture/Leisure, Treatment

Timescale: Short Term

Type: Interior Design

User Group: All user groups

Project and location: Silkeborg Gymnasium, Silkeborg, Denmark

Contributor: Silkeborg Gymnasium

Established: 2020